Vertical corner illuminating means



Sept. 1, 1931. R (:RUMPTON 1,821,693

VERTICAL CORNER ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 8, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY 8, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 q ATTORNEY Z INVENTOR 81 Sept. 1, 1931. K. R. CRUMPTON VERTICAL CORNER ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct.

"J all Sept. 1, 1931. K. R. CRUMPTON 1,821,593

VERTICAL CORNER' ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 8, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [NI g! TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE KENNETH R. CRUMIPTON, OF PITTSBURGH,:PENNSYLVAN IA ASSIGNOR TO KAUFMAN N DEPARTMENT STORES, INC., OF -PI'ITSBURGH, BENNSYLVA'NIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

VERTICAL CORNER ILLUMINATING MEANS Applicatio'nlfiled. October '8, 1930. serial 1%. 487,255.

This invention refers to improvements in means for illumination, particularly the interior of buildings such as stores, and is of the type 'generallyv known as concealed lighting. w: f f

The object in view is to so arrange the illuminating elements" in series of vertical sections for transmission of the lightthrough transparent or translucentcovering material.

As illustrated, the invention .is applied to. the hollow corner portions of rectangular: supporting columns or posts, but is appli-j cable to any similar corner construction, either single or plural, as may be preferred.

;The lighting element, as a lamp, is arranged at theupper end of a vertical corner space for proj ectionof-the light rays downwardly through the vertical corner cavity, within and behind appropriate corniceimem v bers of the architecture WherebyLthe, confined area ofthe cavity is -utilized for diffusionof light rays through j a series of removable corner panels of glass for lateral illumination of an adjacent space, V

Theinventionis capable o f 'various ar rangements v and modifications as to designand incorporation with either pre-existingQ or specially designed architectural emb d1-- ments in corner or column form: The constructionhere illustrated is in the manner abovesuggested, and in connection with a supporting column and laterally arranged ceiling beams, wherein the illuminatingsystem of which the present invention forms an element, is extended laterally, and which forms the subject matter of my companion application filed herewith Serial No. 487,254. Inthe drawings showing one preferred utilization of the invention: I r V Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofa portion of a storeinterior showing one of the columns in connection with the supported'ce'il T or cavity a;

Fig, l is a similar section on the lin IVIV of Fig. 2;

,Figs. and6 are detail views in edge elevation and vertical section respectively,

- showing themounting of the spring clamping means forthe lower panels;

Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation showing the 'manner of securing the upper panels. Referring to Fig. l, 2 represents a main ceiling area of a circumscribed rectangular or other suitable form within surrounding downwardly projecting cross beams 3 extending at right anglesfrom the top of a supporting post or column 4'. 1 '2 1 Such column is substantially rectangular in cross section at its base, composed of any suitable ments, surrounded by fiat or otherwise shaped panels, and with the upper portion of the column designed and constructed whereby to pro'videfor the mounting therein of the removable panels 5a an d 5b which cover and enclose the interior vertical well Such cavity is of any suitable construction having a maximum cross sectional area at its upper portion for a certain distance downwardly and thenoff-set, as at 7 reducing the cross sectional area of the, cavity at its lower portion, as in Figs. 3 and 4 re-' specftively. I I

.The vertical cavities 6J communicate. at their upper portions with corresponding longitudinal-laterally extended cavities within and behind the cornice construction of ceiling' beams 3, which are provided with a plurality of lampsbehind the series of hori zontally arranged panels 50, as more fully described in the application" above referred The column. 4, above its main generally rectangular base portion, is surrounded with a series of flat panels extending upwardlythroughout the middle portion of the col-' umn, between the corners, and terminating. by edges 8, such edges being, in the construction shown, separated at aminor and,

maximumrdistance apart, for receptionbe tween 'them of the comparatively narrow interior "weight-supporting ele and wide sections 5?) and 5a respectively, of the transparent or translucent panels.

The upper panels 5a of greatest width, adjacent the source of light A, are of angular form as in Fig. 3, consisting of a single piece of glass or other suitable transparent or translucent material, preferably in two or more sections, and fixedly mounted between the edges 8, so as to effect continuations of the right angle corner portions of the column with any suitable variations as to design within the province of the builder or architect.

As shown in Fig. 1 the uppermost panel 5a effects an angular joint with the innermost one of the laterally extending panels 50 of the ceiling beams, such uppermost panel resting by its lower edge against the upper edge of the next lowermost panel.

For the purpose of providing a framing or mounting of such panels I utilize a U- shaped strip 9 mounted against the adjacent edge' 8 of the main wall construction, and secured by screw 10 to an inner flange 11, forming an extension of an inner sheet metal lining member 12 which is held in place by any suitable means, as screws 18.

The edge portions of panel 5a are cut out or notched as indicated at 14 for clearance of screw 10, by which construction the entire panel with its framing 9 may be bodily removed for cleaning or replacement by loosening the several screws.

Lowermost panels 512 are mounted ina somewhat similar manner, between the side walls 15 of a U-shaped receiving groove of sheet metal 7 construction, at the opposite side portions of cavity. 6, inwardly beyond or corresponding with the terminal edges 8. For the purpose of providing for retention of the upper panels 56 in their supporting frames I utilize at each side outwardly pressing spring clamping devices 16 formed of s-p'n'ng tongues securedagainst the back middle portion of the groove by a rivet 17 or in any *other suitable manner, Such spring elements project outwardly at their middle and are free at their opposite end, capable of being pressed backwardly when the panel is inserted, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 4.

hen it is desired to remove apanel,

either edge may be pressed against the spring, thereby allowing the opposite edge' to be released from'the frame so that the panels maybe also removed in the same manner for cleaning, replacement or any other purpose.

,1 The uppermost panel, as shown, makes an abutting or beveled engagement against the inner edge portions of the horizontal panels of the beam series, thereby eiiecting a continuation of the several series when completely installed. The illumination through the several vertical panels of the upper corner portion or portions of the column, due to the confining walls of the vertical cavity or cavities, utilizing the full light values, provides a soft, pleasing and artistic efi'ect greatly enhancing the archi-' tectural beauty of the column itself, espe cially when used with suitable paneling as black marble, etc.

The effect as a whole is highly artistic while providing for continued efliciency, easy and rapid removal or replacement, and continuous effective functioning.

What I claim is -1. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members at each side of a vertical light cavity and communicating with said source of light, a boxshaped inner lining wall enclosing the cavity at the rear, vertical holding channels mounted on the edges of said wall along the inner edge of each panel member, and angle shaped translucent light emission panels mounted therein.

2. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an upper-most source of light and divergently disposed panel members at each side ofa vertical light cavity and communieating with said source of light, said cavity and said panel members being of a maximum and minimum parallel sided width, a transverse back wall for the'cavity, vertical holdingchannels mounted on the edges of the back wall, along the inner edge of each panelmember, springs in said channels, anda series of angle shaped translucent light emission panels mounted in said channels by their opposite edges.

3. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members at each side of a vertical light cavity and communicating with said source of light, vertical supporting flanges mounted along the inner edge of each panel member, unit holding channels and securing screws attaching them to said flanges, and angle shaped translucent light emission panel units mounted in said channels having clearance openings for the screws.

4. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members at each side of a vertical light cavity and communicating with said source of light, vertical supporting flanges mounted along the inner edge of each panel member, unit holding channels and securing screws attaching them to said flanges, a leaf spring secured to the bottom of one of said channels, and angle shaped translucent panel units mounted in said channels.

5. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members the edges of which terminate at each side of a vertical light cavity communicating with said source of light, an inner sheet metal back wall extending across from the opposite sides of the cavity, vertical holding channels secured to the edges of the sheet metal back at the inner edges of the panel members, and angle shaped translucent panels mounted therein.

6. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column {or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members the edges of which terminate at each side of a vertical light cavity communicating with said source of light, said cavity being of a uniform parallel sided width at its upper portion and of a lesser parallel sided width at its lower portion, inner back walls extendin from the opposite sides of the plural widt cavities, vertical holding channels secured to the edges of the back walls at the inner edges of the panel members, and angle shaped translucent panels mounted in the holding channels.

7 Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members the edges of which terminate at each side of a vertical cavities provided at each edge with vertical holding channels located adjacent the inner edges of the panel members, and angle shaped translucent holding channels. a

8. Corner illumination construction for a rectangular column or the like provided with an uppermost source of light and divergently disposed panel members the edges of which terminate at each side of a vertical-light cavity communicating with said source of light, said cavity being of a panels mounted in the uniform parallel sided width at its upper portion and of a lesser parallel sided width at its lower portion, inner back walls extending from the opposite sides of the plural width cavities provided at each edge with vertical holding channels located adjacent the inner edges of the panel members, depressible springs mounted in the signature.

KENNETH R. CRUMPTON. 

